A new police chief, the new position of assistant chief, renovation of
the building and a decrease in crime have been significant changes in the Bryan
Police Department in the past half decade.
In May 1980, James Phillips was named police chief and succeeded Robert
Koverman, who resigned after serving three years in the position. Chief Phillips
has been employed with the police department since April 1965 and previously
worked with the street department.
Two months later, the position of assistant police chief was created and
Leroy "Rick" Mock was named to that office.
Also in 1980,John Florkowski was promoted to lieutenant while Jim Snivley
and Deb Shindledecker were promoted to sergeant. Three police officers were employed
- Doug Ernest, Phil Weaver and Jeff Arnold - while Roma Degroff retired as
dispatcher. A total of 19 people were employed with the department in
1980.
In 1981, Jim Rolland resigned while the parking meter maid was placed on
layoff due to cutbacks in the city's operating budget. The department employed
17 people.
Their were no personnel changes in 1982.
In 1983, the city's financial status improved and the meter maid was
called back to work while officers Matthew Arnold and Rex Lawrence were
employed. Officer Phillip Weaver was named an investigator while officer Gary
Nungester was assigned as court bailiff at the new municipal court in the city
hall annex.
In 1984, officer Weaver resigned to accept another position and Rex
Lawrence was named investigator. Colin Rose was employed as a police officer.
With free metered parking on a six month trial basis, the meter maid was
reassigned as a dispatcher. A total of 20 people are currently working at the
department.
Although the department is still short three officers from 1979
employment figures, Chief Phillips said he feels the organization, dedication,
training and determination of all of his officers has more than made up the
difference in in personnel numbers. Although cutbacks in the city's operating
budget resulted in some layoffs, he said his department has gained by being
better organized while having efficient
officers.
A foot patrol program in downtown Bryan was established and during the
school year a police officer is assigned to work the school areas in the morning
and the afternoon to assist school workers if any problems arise. Officers have
continued to conduct crime prevention programs over the years, which have help
reduced the city's crime rate. And every year, officers have been involved with
safety town and the trick-or-treat safety program.
Since 1980, Chief Phillips said 4,000 hours have been devoted by officers
to obtaining formal training in the investigation of accidents, patrol tactics,
criminal investigation, child abuse and management.
Citizens' calls for police services have averaged 6,400 a year to the
Bryan Police Department and have remained constant in the past five years. Chief
Phillips said calls have ranged from police escorts, assistance in being locked
out of a building or car to getting a cat out of a tree or reporting an accident
or crime.
In the past three years alone, Chief Phillips said the police department
has experienced a 33 percent reduction in major crimes and an 8 percent increase
in the clearance of crimes. In 1980, there were 481 major crimes reported with
36 percent cleared and in 1983, 342 major crimes were reported with 41 percent
cleared. Major crimes are rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny and auto
thefts.
Chief Phillips said the figures indicate a constant improvement in the
city's crime rate as well as the police department's clearance rate. The
national average clearance rate is 25-30 percent. "I'm fairly well pleased
with two factors - a reduction in the crime rate while increasing our clearance
rate." He credited the low crime rate and high clearance rate to the
cooperation received from the community and better trained officers.
The city's accident rate has also declined over the years with 596
reported in 1980, 587 in 1981, 511 in 1982 and 461 in 1983 with only one
fatality occurring in that four year time span.
The department has three marked and two unmarked police cars. Two new
cars were received in May with cars replaced every two years to keep maintenance
cost low and maintain efficient operating vehicles. Also two K-55 radar units
were purchased in 1983 and installed in the patrol cars. Red light siren equipment
on all cars were replaced with new siren equipment. Camera and fingerprint
equipment was purchased. Also scan-head radios were installed in the patrol cars
to improve communication with the Bryan Police Department as well as other
police agencies, the sheriff's department and state patrol.
While there have been personnel changes there have been physical changes
in the Bryan Police Department as well with the renovation of the city hall
building. A new dispatch area was created with the use of the mayor's waiting waiting
area while the police chief's new office was the mayor's office. In addition, a
new squad room for officers was created and the offices of the assistant police
chief, investigator and polygrapher were located on the second floor of the
building.
The police department would not be successful without the assistant of
police reserve officers, who provide an average of 2,500 hours of free service
each year. All reserves have been trained and certified through a school
conducted by Chief Phillips in 1983.
Police reserve officers are: Linus Imm, Russell Robinson, Dick Snivley,
Al Hughes, Dick Moog, Jeff Bennett, Jim Livengood, Rollie Gray, Joe Imm, Doug
Meyer, Bill Whitman, Dana Andrews, Dan Stoll, Nelson Carder, Randy Bockover and
Dean Calvin.
The police department also employees eight school crossing guards.